Daily Times

To expect miracles from the inaugural budget of the Maryam Nawaz-led government for the year 2024-25 read like a fantasy novel. However, much of the criticism echoing from the opposition benches owes to the lofty pledges announced from the campaign bandwagon. While some may applaud the government for announcing a significant raise in salary (an overwhelming 25 per cent)and pensions (15 per cent)for government employees, others argue that there is still much left to be desired in terms of fulfilling the promises made early this year. After all, most of the 128 million Punjabis won’t qualify for these sweeteners. Ground realities compel the executive to take essential steps regardless of its ambitions. There’s no denying that. However, there are still numerous challenges that could still be addressed despite these pressing constraints if the government actually wishes to fulfil its commitments to the people of Punjab. From improving healthcare and education facilities to creating job opportunities and tackling corruption, there is a wide gap between what was promised and what has been delivered so far.

Nevertheless, CM Nawaz could still win a major boost to what the chatter on the street says about her if she works on the one-point agenda of ensuring accountability and transparency in the allocation of funds. Governments after governments have risen to power using lofty promises of eliminating corruption and ensuring efficient use of public resources. The most recent of which saw the PTI-led Buzdar administration make a mockery of governance amid raging reports of embezzlement at all levels of the administration. There has been a whiff of scandal here and there in the first 100 days, most alarming of which pertained to the Ramadan ration programme, raising serious concerns about the government’s ability to deliver on its commitments to prioritise the welfare of its citizens.

Even if the ordinary Pakistani understands the predicaments of those at the helm of his affairs, the incumbent government is in no shape to let any failure in addressing the root causes of poverty, unemployment, and social inequality take course. This would further erode the fast-dwindling trust of the public in its ability to bring about positive change. Salary raises and pension hikes may provide temporary relief to some, but the long-term sustainability of such measures remains in question. For instance, an abysmally low tax target may suggest that the heartland of the country does not wish to earn its due revenue because of the crutches provided by the federal government. Without concrete steps towards creating a more equitable and just society, the Punjab government risks further alienating the smaller provinces. Is that the model the Sharif government wishes to pursue? *